Former Lawrence credit union teller pleads guilty to embezzling more than $81,000

A former Lawrence credit union teller pleaded guilty in federal court Tuesday to embezzling more than $81,000, and her former manager is expected to enter a plea after being charged with covering up the crime.

Christi Marie Hout, a 38-year-old Lawrence resident, admitted Tuesday to embezzling the funds while working as a teller at Jayhawk Federal Credit Union, 2901 Lakeview Road. She was accused of committing the crime between July 2010 and May 2013. Hout said she used credit union funds to pay personal expenses and said she knew that the credit union manager was covering up the thefts.

The credit union's former manager, Karolyn J. Stattelman, 42, of Topeka, is charged in federal court with one count of theft of credit union funds for embezzling more than $175,000 and is set for a change of plea hearing on June 17.

Hout, who faces up to 30 years in federal prison and a fine up to $250,000, will be sentenced at a date not yet scheduled.